Betty Southwick Jennings' Obituary
Betty Southwick Jennings died the same way she lived her life, with dignity and grace, from complications of pneumonia and heart failure on May 26, 2016. She passed peacefully at Haven Hospice in her daughter Beth’s arms with her other children surrounding her.
Betty was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 16, 1932, and her entire life loved the Kentucky bluegrass and the Kentucky Derby. Betty was a graduate of Kentucky Home School for Girls and her children love to remember her stories of being “Queen of the May” her senior year. Betty moved to Gainesville with her husband, John C. Jennings, in 1957, and lived here the rest of her life.
Betty was the daughter of the late Lewis Arthur Southwick and Ruth Weldon Southwick. She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, John C. Jennings; infant son, Page Southwick Jennings; her stepmother, Virginia Condon Southwick and sisters Ruth Weldon Southwick Sams, and Mary Jane Southwick Wallace. She is also preceded in death by her dearly beloved friend and companion Minnie Lee Davis; her Doberman Korak; and cats Toby, Ashes, Eleanor and Sorry Cat (to name just a few!).
She is survived by her children, daughter Vicki Jennings Sabatella (John), son John Culler Jennings, Jr. (Wanda), son David Scott Jennings, son Steven Shands Jennings (Danielle), and daughter Beth Landis Jennings, five grandchildren, Lanie Jennings Cyr (Chris), John C. Jennings, III, Jayden Jennings, Jordyn Jennings, Hunter Jennings, and great grandson Bryson Cyr. She is also survived by her brothers, Ned (Penny) Southwick and George (Brenda) Southwick, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Betty had many wonderful friends during her lifetime, including her cherished life-long friend, Ann Page. In the last ten years, she was especially thankful for the constant companionship and help from her neighbors, Jill Adams and David Nelson who provided comfort, food, friendship, love and support at all times unconditionally. Our family will be forever grateful to these loving individuals who we call family.
Betty spent her entire life helping others. In 1982 she began volunteering for the Guardian ad Litem Program, an organization then in its earliest stages, created to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, domestic relations, and criminal court proceedings. She was a case worker, mentor and volunteer trainer for over 33 years, and continued after her retirement to serve on many foundations and boards related to child advocacy. GAL quickly became her passion, and she had a profound love for her work until the day she died.
Betty has been recognized in the community for her work with children, particularly abused and neglected children for which she received many awards, including her most cherished Baha’i Human Rights Award, the Ruth Martin Child Advocate of the Year, the State Guardian ad Litem Advocate of the year, the Ellen Foster Award, and many others.
In 2008, Betty helped launch a program known as “The Downtown Ministry” administered through Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. This group provides assistance and supplies to the homeless. For this service Betty was awarded the City of Gainesville’s Community Service Award. Betty’s compassion for the homeless in this community cannot be surpassed. She would give her last dollar to anyone that needed it.
Throughout her life Betty raised and cared for many animals, many of which were rescued from the wild by her children walking around the neighborhood. Her home was always full of dogs, cats, rabbits, baby hawks, and flying squirrels. Instinctively, any animal in need knew where they should go for shelter, food, and love. As her five children grew, she served as a surrogate mother to all of their friends, many of whom have continued to keep in touch with her and love her to this day.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE 1st St, Gainesville, FL 32601. In lieu of flowers, Betty’s wishes were to have donations made to the Guardian Foundation, 8th Judicial Circuit, 14 S. Main Street, Gainesville FL 32601, or to the Homeless Ministry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
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